Laser Therapy For Tinnitus Relief: A Promising Treatment?

Tinnitus is an invisible condition that affects millions of Americans. Though previously thought to be a condition caused by reduced hearing health, tinnitus has proved itself more complex than experts could ever imagine. With more research into the phantom sounds that can have varying effects on quality of life, we believe we’re closer than ever before to understanding the exact mechanism behind tinnitus. 

The gold-standard tinnitus treatment is Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) – a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and sound therapy, both offering tinnitus patients a chance to habituate to the sound in their ears. However, there’s no cure for tinnitus just yet. 

As medical technology improves in other areas, laser therapy has proven to have many applications, from addressing skin conditions, to pain relief, and even treating cancer. Laser therapy is already being used for other treatments in and around the ears. This leaves many in the field of tinnitus therapy to wonder if laser therapy can be used to treat tinnitus too.

How Laser Therapy Works

Laser therapy is considered a revolutionary technology. Unlike ordinary light bulbs that spread light in all directions, lasers use a specific wavelength to create a narrow beam of high-intensity light. In medicine, lasers allow for greater precision and accuracy, especially for reducing blood loss, scarring, wound infections, and other potential human errors. 

Unlike X-rays, laser therapy uses non-ionizing radiation, so it doesn’t have the same risks as X-rays, or other types of ionizing radiation. But, it isn’t without its own set of risks including skin color changes and irritation, as well as incomplete treatment of the problem. 

For tinnitus treatment, the laser light would penetrate the ear canal, eventually reaching the eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane. The extent of light penetration that gets behind the eardrum into the deeper structures of the ear, like the cochlea or the inner ear, depends on several factors, including the laser light wavelength and the power of the laser, as well as the properties of the different tissues at play. Our main question is: Can this get deep enough into the ear to influence those important areas of the cochlea and the auditory nerve to treat tinnitus?

Is Laser Therapy Effective For Treating Tinnitus?

The eardrum itself is semi-transparent, meaning it naturally allows some light to pass through. It also reflects and absorbs light which can limit the amount of laser energy that actually reaches those deeper structures. 

We already know laser therapy is useful for treating cellular issues in different areas of the body. In instances where tinnitus is caused by damage to hair cells deep within the inner ear, low-level laser therapy has the potential to address deficiencies or damaged hair cells. These studies were conducted on patients with hearing loss as their primary complaint, but generally, treating hearing loss can improve tinnitus symptoms. 

The exact mechanism of action for how this can help tinnitus is pursued in ongoing research in a study from experts in Brazil. This double-blind, randomized trial included 107 participants, with a true placebo group who didn’t receive the laser therapy treatment for their tinnitus. The subject sample was divided into 10 study groups and received treatment twice a week for four weeks. Each group received different applications of low-level laser therapy at different durations and wavelength strengths, some in conjunction with other treatments such as ultrasound, vacuum therapy, and oral medication and supplements. 

The researchers used the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment application. This questionnaire was developed to measure the perceived effect of tinnitus on the patient, or in other words, how the tinnitus affects different areas of their life. Participants were required to complete the questionnaire before treatment, after each treatment session, and finally again 15 days after receiving the final treatment.

While most of the treatments used did not have any significant impact on the THI scores of the participants, the placebo group had a 40% improvement, a testament to how strong the placebo effect can be for tinnitus patients, especially within the first two months. If the brain thinks it’s getting better, there may be a reduction in stress and anxiety, which can in turn reduce the hyperactivation of the brain that leads to tinnitus. 

Furthermore, 15 days is not enough time to determine if any clinical treatment is effective, especially when dealing with tinnitus. Tinnitus can seemingly disappear, sometimes forever, but in other instances, it can return a few weeks later. Any tinnitus treatment must be tested for 6 months, or even up to a year to show true promise.

Laser therapy for tinnitus isn’t at the level where it needs to be for it to be considered an effective treatment. The researchers of this study and other experts in the field will have to continue exploring possible leads and employ more rigorous testing methods. As tinnitus is complex and can have several identifiable causes, it’s highly unlikely any treatment will be a one-cap-fits-all type of situation.            

Laser Therapy and Long-Term Tinnitus Treatment

From these findings, we can safely say laser therapy treatment for tinnitus is still in its infancy. This treatment isn’t available to patients in the United States as yet, nor is it offered outside of a clinical research setting. Some patients have had these treatments abroad, many going to extreme lengths before they find the right treatment approach. This is usually very expensive, and a backward way of approaching the issue that usually doesn’t amount to long-term changes. 

While the root cause of tinnitus isn’t always clear, a proper assessment from a medical professional can rule out or recommend treatment options. The audiologists at Treble Health, along with the majority of certified tinnitus specialists and Audiologists, agree that Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is the best approach available for managing ringing in the ears. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy combines traditional talk therapy, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with sound therapy to reduce the psychological impact of tinnitus and train the brain to ignore the sound through habituation and masking. Unlike laser therapy, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is well supported by evidence based research to show its effectiveness in treating tinnitus amongst a wide range of tinnitus sufferers, regardless of the root cause for the tinnitus. 

Other treatments 

Hearing aids and other hearing technology are useful for patients who suffer from tinnitus as a result of hearing loss. Many of these devices are manufactured with tinnitus features to address both the tinnitus and the hearing loss. But generally speaking, treating any hearing loss can have an impact on tinnitus severity. 

Medication, surgery, and other medical treatments can address tinnitus symptoms that are caused by certain underlying conditions. Some of these conditions include ear infections, cardiovascular disease, allergies, thyroid infections, tumors, and more. These cases are usually handled by your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and other specialists. 

If the cause of the tinnitus isn’t clear, treating the symptoms becomes a trial-and-error process, usually under the guidance of your primary, or audiologists, like those on the Treble Health team. These act as complementary treatment options to improve the efficacy of other established treatments:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – On its own, CBT has proven useful for managing the psychological stresses tinnitus can have on patients. It can also be useful to improve overall mental health and well-being.
• Lifestyle changes – Healthcare professionals always recommend eating a balanced diet, as well as regular exercise for overall well-being. Patients with tinnitus can also benefit from removing certain vices such as smoking and alcohol consumption as they have been known to exacerbate symptoms.
• Stress reduction – Stress has been known to worsen tinnitus symptoms. Patients can reduce stress using mindfulness-based reduction techniques such as breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation, as well as getting massages or taking up relaxing hobbies to put the mind and body at ease.
• Alternative medicine – While there’s no concrete proof that supplements, acupuncture, or even hypnosis can treat tinnitus, these treatments can reduce stress, improve overall health, or even induce a placebo effect. This, though not a cure, can mean a few weeks of peace for patients with severe, chronic tinnitus. 

Treat Tinnitus With Treble Health’s Audiology Experts 

Left untreated, tinnitus can become bothersome and make it harder to enjoy life to the fullest. Your journey to a quieter, more peaceful life begins with a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms. The audiology team at Treble Health has seen thousands of cases of tinnitus and has experience with patients of all ages and backgrounds. 

Take the first step by scheduling a complimentary 20-minute telehealth consultation with the experts at Treble Health. During this 20-minute Zoom call, you will have the opportunity to discuss your specific case, ask any questions that you may have, and learn about the treatment options that are best suited for your needs. Tinnitus doesn’t have to control your life – there are real solutions available, and our team is here to support you in any way that we can.